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FNF Week 9: North Callaway team takes advantage of four-day school week

Posted on 13 October 2017 at 4:43pm

KINGDOM CITY - Time formerly spent in the classroom is now being spent in the film room.

No, players on the North Callaway football team aren't playing hooky. They're just taking advantage of having Mondays off from school - every week.

"I think they enjoy that time on Monday," said North Callaway's head football coach Kevin O'Neal. "We get to spend a little more time in film, we're not rushed or anything and I think it has paid off this year having a successful year. I think the kids have adapted to it well."

The North Callaway School District adopted a four-day school week earlier this year, and this is the first season the Thunderbirds have not had class on Mondays.

"I think the kids enjoy having the three days off. The days are a little bit longer that we are here, but I think classroom time and the kids' response in the classroom has been great," O'Neal said.

The added work time on Mondays allow both the players and coaches to have more free time over the weekend.

"In the old days when I coached football, the staff would have to spend Sundays at my house and we worked all day," North Callaway Activities Director Michael Emmons said. "Now our coaches get Sunday off."

For O'Neal, the extra day gives him more time to spend with his two sons.

"During football season they don't get to see me a whole lot, so I try to make it a point to give Saturday and Sunday to those guys," he said.

North Callaway has dropped only one game this season, an opening night loss to Southern Boone. Since then it has won seven in a row.

O'Neal credits the team's success to the hard work of its seniors.

"That class has worked hard. They worked hard in the offseason. It's no mistake why we're having the success we're having, it's because of the work they put in and hopefully they remember that hard work does pay off and it's paying off for them this year," he said.

The Thunderbirds play Montgomery County on Friday to close out the regular season.